Wednesday, January 16, 2013

Over
the years, Congress has authorized and the federal government has administered
programs to provide food to the hungry and to other vulnerable populations
in this country. This report offers a brief overview of hunger and food
insecurity along with the related network of programs. The report is
structured around three main tables that contain information about each
program, including its authorizing language, administering agency,
eligibility, services provided, participation data, and funding
information. In between the tables, contextual information about this
policy area and program administration is provided that may assist Congress in
tracking developments in domestic food assistance. This report provides a
bird’s-eye view of domestic food assistance and can be used both to learn
about the details of individual programs as well as compare and contrast
features across programs.

This report includes overview information for the U.S. Department of
Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Service (USDA-FNS) programs as well as
nutrition programs administered by the Administration on Aging (AOA),
within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Administration
for Community Living (HHS-ACL). USDA-FNS programs include nutrition programs
authorized in the 2008 farm bill (the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of
2008; P.L. 110-246). Programs included in the farm bill are the
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Emergency Food
Assistance Program (TEFAP), Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP),
Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program, and the Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program.
USDA-FNS also administers programs not contained in the farm bill: the Special Supplemental
Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) and Child Nutrition programs
(School Breakfast Program, National School Lunch Program (NSLP), Summer Food Service
Program (SFSP), Special Milk Program, and Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP)).
HHS-ACL programs are the nutrition programs contained in the Older Americans
Act (OAA)—Congregate Nutrition Program; Home Delivered Nutrition Program;
Grants to Native Americans: Supportive and Nutrition Services; and the
Nutrition Service Incentive Program (NSIP).

Date of Report: January 3, 2013
Number of Pages: 21Order Number: R42353Price: $29.95

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